Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin

Neuroprotection in lab/animal PD models. A water extract of TMGTY protected dopaminergic neurons, improved locomotion, and reduced α-synuclein burden in fly and rodent PD models. Mechanisms seen included mitigation of mitochondrial toxin (rotenone) injury and less apoptosis in dopaminergic cells. Nature

Bioactives that target PD-relevant pathways. Components of TMGTY—e.g., gastrodin from Gastrodia elata, rhynchophylline/isorhynchophylline from Uncaria, and baicalin from Scutellaria—have been reported to modulate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, autophagy, and α-synuclein processing in preclinical work. Frontiers

Traditional rationale. In TCM terms, TMGTY “calms the Liver, extinguishes internal wind,” i.e., formulas for tremor/spasm; it’s a standard composition of 11 herbs (Gastrodia, Uncaria, Abalone shell, Gardenia, Scutellaria, Leonurus, Cyathula, Eucommia, Taxillus/Loranthus, Polygoni multiflori caulis/Ye Jiao Teng, and Poria spirit). sacredlotus.com

Classical composition & decoction order

• A typical classical recipe uses (approximate adult quantities): Tian Ma (9 g), Gou Teng (12–15 g), Shi Jue Ming (18–24 g), Zhi Zi (9 g), Huang Qin (9 g), Yi Mu Cao (9–12 g), Chuan Niu Xi (12 g), Du Zhong (9–12 g), Sang Ji Sheng (9–24 g), Ye Jiao Teng (9–30 g), Fu Shen (9–15 g). Cook Abalone shell (Shi Jue Ming) first; add Gou Teng near the end (to preserve actives). sacredlotus.com

General administration

• Preparation: “Decoct in water for oral dose” (traditional). tcmwiki.com
• Granule/capsule equivalents (modern): Commercial guidance often suggests ~4.5 g granules in hot water, 2–3×/day, or 4 capsules 2–3×/day (brand-dependent). Always follow your practitioner’s and product’s label. chorusforlife

Human studies

• Specific to TMGTY in PD: Peer-reviewed preclinical data are strong (above), but high-quality randomized trials in PD patients using TMGTY itself are limited/absent. A 2016 analytical paper on TMGTY notes small clinical reports (e.g., case series and an integrative treatment report) suggesting reduced motor fluctuations when TMGTY is added to standard therapy, but these were not robust RCTs. BioMed Central
• Herbal formulas for PD (broader, not limited to TMGTY): Systematic reviews of randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of herbal medicine formulas for PD report mixed/low-certainty benefits and emphasize small sample sizes and methodological issues; more rigorous trials are needed. Frontiers
• CHM in PD (overview): A meta-analysis and reviews across CHM approaches (not TMGTY-specific) echo the above—possible adjunct benefits but insufficient, inconsistent evidence for firm conclusions. PLOS

Related/adjacent evidence

• TMGTY (or its granule form) is included in Chinese pharmacopoeial practice and has clinical use alongside Madopar in China (mechanistic paper; not a PD RCT). ScienceDirect
• For hypertension, TMGTY has multiple trials (not PD), and Cochrane has reviewed TMGTY formulas for primary hypertension—relevant because TMGTY may lower blood pressure, which matters for PD patients with orthostatic hypotension. Cochrane